Breast capsules – what is the best treatment for me?
Mr. Richards (Aurora Clinics) performs a Capsulectomy
If you’re unlucky enough to develop breast capsules after breast enlargement there are a number of treatments available for you. The first and most simple is gentle massage of the breasts.
In early capsulisation there is some evidence that gently massaging the tissue on the breasts to the 12 o’clock, 3 o’clock, 6 o’clock and 9 o’clock position on a daily basis and holding them there for 10 seconds can stretch the capsules and limit their becoming tighter and tougher.
However, this does not work in all cases (but it is certainly worth a try).
The old technique (which is not often used anymore) in treating capsules is called Closed Capsulectomy. In this technique your surgeon will aim to rupture the capsules via external massage.
The disadvantage of Closed Capsulectomy treatment is that it can be uncomfortable for the patient and can also result in damage to the lining of the implant.
Therefore, Closed Capsulectomy technique is not recommended and is not routinely performed.
The other options include Capsulectomy surgery and in surgery there are a number of different options which include:
- Total Capsulectomy. In this procedure your surgeon will divide the capsule internally freeing it up and allowing it to expand.
- Partial Capsulectomy. In this operation your surgeon will remove either all or part of the capsule surrounding your implant.
In a Partial Capsulectomy your surgeon will remove part of the capsule. In a Total Capsulectomy your surgeon will remove the whole lining around the implant. This is probably the preferred option when dealing with very thick capsules. The final option is to adjust the location of the implant.
In some cases, if your implant is placed in front of the muscle, your surgeon will move the implant behind the muscle so that it is in a different position to the existing capsule.
In a similar way, if the implant is placed behind the muscle, moving it in front of the muscle can move the implant away from the capsule and that might reduce the problem of capsulisation.
Each case of breast capsulisation is individual and if you are unfortunate enough to have developed this condition we would advise that you have a discussion with your surgeon about which of the above techniques they feel most appropriate for you.
Watch a video of Mr. Richards discussing capsulectomy